
The magazine is known as Q! Magazine; in which the contents
page is very informative for the target audience and also has bold and clear sub-headings
in which allows the consumer to locate what pages they prioritise the most
interesting depending on their interests. To add to this, they have separated
the articles into three main sub-headings which include: features, every month,
Oasis special and review. By using these sub-headings, it is quite beneficial
for the consumer since it will help the consumers to have a glance whether they
have covered every aspect of each topic they wish to go to. Additionally, the
numbers that indicate what pages to go to are red compared to the text which is
black, this makes it more noticeable to the consumers so that they can infer
what pages they would like to go to.
The usage of the image on Q magazine is that it is quite balanced compared to
the amount of information that is used so that the consumers are not bombarded
with information, instead this magazine uses images to give the magazine some
interesting photos so that the consumers wouldn't be bored of just words. The use
of images on the page is not as frequent compared to other magazines as this
magazine has a large main image of a band of 4 which shows some professionalism
in which the image relates to the sub-headings.
On the top right of the contents page, it shows the date as well as the
website. This gives an impression that the consumers will know when the magazine
was published. Additionally, the website gives the reader information in which
they could use the internet to access magazines online, thus popularity of Q
magazine will increase.
The colour scheme of the contents page is kept quite formal which includes:
red, white and black (mainly). This emphasises the fact that the magazine is
again professional.
Below every sub-heading, it has small and snappy information so the reader will
have an insight what the page will be writing about, again; may attract
consumers to certain aspects of the magazine.
There is a special box called the OASIS SPECIAL, this part of the box shows
that the band ‘OASIS’ is the featured article and a dedication of pages to show
that they are important compared to the rest of the information presented
within the contents of the magazine.
The denotations about this is that there is a white background with a distinction between image and text quite clearly. The effect of this on the reader is that they are able to see the text more clearly without getting distracting from the text. The consumers would also be able to denote that there is the brand name 'Q' due to it having a red colour background and a white letter 'Q'. The gaze from the models (the 4 men) suggests that they are confident and relaxed as it makes the consumer want to read on about these models as they are dressed as people who are 'normal' rather than flashy clothing as celebrities would wear, this allows the consumer to relate to them. The genre seems to be an indie/rock music magazine as the band is a rock group which would make the reader connote that there is a big story on the band and they may be interested in them.
Reader's response:
The reader's response on Q! magazine is that they may find it easy to navigate through the contents page as it is distinguished between text and images. Additionally, the size of the font and the font itself is clear enough for the reader to actually read. Furthermore, the sub-headings such as 'FEATURES' and 'EVERY MONTH' is made more distinguishable as the editor of the magazine has changed the font size, font and colour. This allows the reader to navigate to whatever section they would like to read and proceed towards.
Moreover, the images are shot in a clear way where almost or all features and details of the image is presented well as there is no blur. The reader is able to navigate to the page that is about the image as there is a page number and text over the image. Also, the reader felt that by having a main image of the band 'The courteeners' could tell that they are part of the featured article.By having the section 'Oasis special', in special font and font size, attracts the reader because it is unique and they would find it to be 'standing' out compared to the rest of the sections. By having the website near the top right corner, it is a useful concept, but some individuals may find it uninteresting as they either cannot be bothered to actually go onto a website that is displayed in small font size on the contents page. Also, on Q! magazine, there is a 'review' section which the reader felt quite intrigued as it is displayed in a different way in comparison the the 'oasis special' as well as the rest of the sections.
To add to this, there are seperate boxes that makes the contents page more appealing because it would seem 'uninteresting' if the text was placed in such as way where it is continuous and colourless, whereas Q! magazine's contents page is displayed in a way where it intrigues the reader to sections as there is different colours presented.

By searching up many different music magazines, there are
conventions that we are able to pick out, but some music magazines do not contain all aspects of conventions. Here are a few examples that are normally in a magazine:
Cover-lines, skyline, masthead, main image, price, date, website and main cover-lines. The
masthead is the name of the magazine, in this case it is known as VIBE. The word ‘ VIBE’ allows us to give first impressions which is that VIBE is quite known to music based subjects in which is a suitable name for a music magazine. This gives a positive effect on the
target audience since they would know that the magazine will be based on music type aspects without even reading into the
cover-lines or even into the magazine. Furthermore, the
colours that are used for the masthead is a solid red colour in which stands out from the light blue background. Also, the
masthead allows the
audience to recognise previously made magazine so they may want to consider buying future VIBE magazine.
Cover-lines are used to attract the audience/
consumers, in this case; my magazine shows the type of rappers that will be presented within the magazine. Furthermore, the rap artist is appearing in a red font and white font which shows that the magazine is sophisticated since it is keeping to a colour scheme. For example: JAY Z’s NEW YORK TAKEOVER’. This shows that the magazine will be based on the genre of rap which is their main target audience to those who are interested in that particular genre. To add to this, it gives a slight glimpse of what may be installing within the magazine which may attract those who are interested to certain artists.
The main cover line is red and white: ‘T.I’ in which related to the main image of the magazine which is T.I himself. The colour and size of the font shows that it is more important compared to the rest of the cover-lines.
The skyline shows information that is appealing to the audience: 2010 in review: all that was cool, crazy and crass. This gives an impression that the magazine is quite successful since it says ‘2010 in review’, giving the emphasis that they've done magazines within 2010 but this issue is reviewing 2010.
The main image is T.I which shows who the main featured article is about. The main image portrays an image of a ‘gangster’ or a typical rapper (stereotypically), as you can see from the facial expression as well as the props that he is using such as a snap back, gold/silver chains and a watch. The usage of a main image is to attract customers to buy the magazine since their favourite artist may be T.I himself or T.I may be an interest to their genre of rap. This is also used so the magazine company is able to present a professional rapper onto a magazine which portrays a professional magazine; thus gaining more attention to people and customers themselves.
The barcode is used so that the people at the counter are able to quickly scan it and shows that you are able to buy the magazine. Furthermore, you are able to know additional information such as the price that would usually be near the barcode as well as the date that it has been published. Also, it has a scanner for those who have access to the internet, therefore keeping up with the one of the latest technologies so that the company has various ways to advertise, distribute as well as sell the magazine. On the other hand, this magazine doesn't show the price where most magazines it does show the price. Additionally, the reason why they may have added a website to the magazine is to have people use the internet to find out more about their company and magazine in which allows them to gain more popularity through the internet.
What I
denote about this music magazine front cover of T.I is that it is a navy blue background with black. This effects the consumer as that it allows the reader to read coverlines and other conventions such as price, main coverlines and so forth more clearly as they are a brighter colour in comparison of the dark background.
The consumer would denote the masthead known as 'VIBE' because it has a distinctive colour of red font. The
connotations of red is danger, passion and joy. The gaze from the model suggests that he is quite serious and calm as it allows the reader to empathise with T.I so that the consumer would like to find out more about how T.I feels and about his lifestyle within the magazine. The genre is based on rap as the model T.I is a well-known rap artists which would make the consumer connote that there is a story behind his facial expressions and thus would like to find out more.
MISE-EN-SCENE:
NVC (NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION):
It is adequately clear as T.I gives a
direct facial expression towards the audience, it looks quite confident and
aggressive which suggests a masculine look (stereotypically).
T.I is captured in motion where he is
posing by putting his hands together which gives an impression of a 'gangster'
type way.
LIGHTING:
The Lighting is not from natural sources,
but there is a significant amount of light upon T.I. as it shows within his
facial expressions which allow the photographer to express the feelings that T.I
are showing which is serious and powerful. To add to this, the photographer may
show the battle between the contrast of light and dark.
SETTING:
There is no recognisable setting; it is
unclear of where T.I is. IT is a coloured background which is navy blue and
would most probably be set in a photography studio.
COSTUME:
The clothing worn by T.I is not very clear
but I think he is wearing some sort of shirt which is also a shade of navy
blue. It looks quite simple and plain in comparison to other music magazines as
they are more dramatic and quite bright. This may be seen as boring as this may
be done to keep focus on T.I's face or NVC. To add to this, T.I is wearing gold
chains and what seems to be a silver watch which connotes as being rich and
giving off a 'gangster' impression. The fact that this is too simple is what a
subverted stereotype of what celebrities wear.
PROPS:
The only main props used is the hat and jewellery
that T.I is wearing, this suggests that T.I is a consumer of things that are
quite pointless but he may purchase these items to show off his success in the
music industry.
Reader's response:
The main image is large and clear so that I am able to see who the person is (in this case, T.I.) and how he is presented within the front cover (potrayed as a 'gangster' looking person). Furthermore, the coverlines' colour is white where it is more visible in comparison to the rest of the colour that is in the background which made it more visible compared to the dark/navy blue background. Overall, the front cover is well presented as every convention is displayed explicitly and it is distinguishable. The image is a close-up shot which allows me to emphasise with T.I. To add to this, the colours of the front cover of 'VIBE' magazine is quite complementary.

‘NEWS’ within the top left hand corner shows the brand name. This encourages people who are interested in KERRANG to remember the name for future references. Additionally, it shows the website: www.kerrang.com in which encourages people who are interested in this magazine brand to visit alternative ways to gather information, In this case it is the internet for the latest news and gossip.
The main image is an image of a person who is performing to what I think is a rock song. The usage of this image is quite common is most music magazine that I have researched upon. The main image usually takes up most of the double page spread so that it overlaps the second page which shows the significance of the person within the image. The effect of overlapping the second page of the double page spread is that it attracts the customer’s attention towards the person within the main image itself rather than to read the information first. Additionally, people who flick through the magazine will be able to pick up the image first since it stands out from the text and allows the customers to identify with the person within the main image quickly so that they may want to know more about the person and why ‘KERRANG’ has put them in the magazine and so forth.
Gerard Way (the person on the left, holding the microphone who is classified as the main image), is showing his strong emotions to rock as he bows his head to the floor, rather than directly looking at the cameras which shows his strong passion for rock music. This can represent his life and dedication towards rock music as he ignores the cameras and focuses on what he does best, ‘rocking it out!’
The props that he is using is a microphone which shows that he uses his voice to perform rock music since the microphone projects his voice so that fans are able to hear him, this suggests that he is quite famous. The costume that Gerard Way is wearing connotes that he is a part of a rock band or plays rock music. The simplicity of his outfit, the denim shirt and t-shirt would be quite‘normal’ for a rock singer. To add to this, the main image is black and white which connotes how pure and innocent rock is, whereas black could connote the power and mystery of rock.
There are three other smaller images that are also black and white of ‘My chemical romance’ which is a type of rock band. This shows that they are in a co-operative band in the photo with three people and quite independent people too since they show all three images of all three people within the band.
Moreover, there are page numbers which would allow the customers to identify what page they are on at the moment as well as able to look through the magazine, using the contents page in which they can find whatever they wanted to go to. ‘WE’RE BEING THE BEST MCR WE CAN BE!’ This is known as a pull quote in which is used to attract the audience to read this page of the magazine since it uses the quote that has been said by: My chemical romance. People who just scan the magazine will read the pull quote quite easily since it is big, bold and clear compared to the rest of the text below; as well as gaining some information of what the article may be about.
The main article which is located below the pull quote, this main article is where the information is; in which it’s an interview of my chemical romance. To add to this, on the right side; there is like a plug. The effect of using the plug on the contents page is to be different compared to the rest since the background is clearly white, giving the impression that information where the plug is significant.
The denotations about the double page spread of this music magazine is that the background colours are dark and vibrant which allows the text to be clear as it is white. This allows the consumer to read the text without distortions as the text/
typography is bright and distinguishable. The consumer would also be able to denote the band members as this would attract the consumers to find out more about them.
MISE-EN-SCENE:
NVC- (NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION):
It is not very clear as the main model on
the left of the double page spread is not looking directly towards the camera.
This gives an impression that he does not care about how he is presented and
just wants to perform his heart out which gives him a look where he wants to
express his feelings through music.
LIGHTING:
There is hardly any lighting on the double
page spread onto the model. This shows that the band is quite dark and powerful
in terms of music which allows the photographer to express the feelings of the
band which is brute force and power within their music. The connotations of
black are power, superiority and strength.
SETTING:
The setting seems to be quite blurry, but
by giving an educated guess, it would be on a concert stage which emphasises
the fact that the mode is in his 'zone' and shows that they are well known in
terms of performing live to their fans.
COSTUME:
The clothing worn by the main model on the
left is that he is wearing what looks like a denim jacket.
The costume is not very clear and hard to
distinguish as they do not care how they are presented and therefore only care
about their music. It looks quite plain and 'normal' in comparison to other
rock bands who are stereotypically seen as wearing black clothing which
represents the genre of rock.
PROPS:
The only main prop used is the microphone
which shows that the model is singing while taking this photo-shoot. This shows
that he is in his own environment and thus can act naturally. It allows the
model to make him more passionate and dedicated to their music.
Reader's response:
Large image which wouldn't bore the reader. The text is not used in such a way (overflowing with text) where the reader would be slightly uninteresting as is balanced. The usage of colours really emphasises the fact that this double page spread is the 'rock' type as black and red are quite known colours to be used in rock bands (stereotypically). By using the pull quote, it really intrigues the reader as it draws our eyes to the unique text. The reader feels that the image of this rock band (My chemical romance), took out pretty much the whole page and slightly more as this was nothing new as this would be usually be used in various types of music magazines. The reader felt that there is not as much text as they thought there would be as various other music magazine's double page spread is filled with columns of text which allow the reader to fully engage with the person/band within the double page spread.